V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,R. Because by your holy Cross you haveredeemed the world.

The executioners take his garments and divide them into four parts. But the cloak is without seam, so they say: ‘It would be better not to tear it, but let us cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.’ So,Scripture is again fulfilled: ‘They divided my garments among them, for my vesture they cast lots.’ Despoiled, left in the most absolute poverty: our Lord is left with nothing save the wooden Cross. To reach God, Christ is the way; but Christ is on the Cross, and to climb up to the Cross we must have our hearts free.